Pencil



01.2o, 1936. HQH. 'BELCHER 'PENCIL Filed Feb. 17, l 1934 2 sheets-sheet 1 Oct. 20, 1936. H. H. BELCHER PENCIL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1'7, 1934 Patented Oct. 20, 1936 'NITED sr rauen. Harold E. lcher, Philadelphia, Pa.

Y Application February 17, 1934, Serial No. '111,804 12 Claims. (Cl. 12o- 18) This invention relates to improvements in writing pencils, and more specifically in mechanical pencils of the type comprising a holder'having mechanical means for extending the lead or crayon as the latter is worn away in the writing operation. f

A principal object of the invention is toprovide in a pencil of this character means automatically operative in the normal writing operation for rotating the lead or crayon with respect to that portion of the holder held in the hand to thereby avoid undue flattening of the writing point and to insure substantial uniformity inthe written lines or markings. g

The invention furtherresides in certain mechanical details and arrangements hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a pencil made in accordance-with my. invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional yview lon the Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one end of the casing element s hown in Fig. 4; 1 Fig. 8 is a. sectional view on the line 8 8, Fig.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 1 illustrating the mode of operation;

Figs. 10 and l1 are diagrammatic transverse sectional views enlarged, also illustrative of the mode of operation;

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating the means for longitudinally feeding the lead or crayon in the holder;.

Figs. 13, 14,-and 15 are views in perspective showing details of the feeding mechanism;

- Fig. 16 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modification within the scope of the invention Fig. 1'7 is a transverse sectional view on the line Il--ll, Fig. 16, and

Fig. l8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional A, View illustratinga still further modification.

With reference to the drawings, a pencil made in accordance with my invention may comprise an outer or main casing l and an interior casing 2 suitably fixed within the barrel of the main casing. In the present instance, the casing element 2, shownin perspective in Fig. e, is made the latter.A

tubular member.

of resilient metal and has at its upper end an integral turned over spring extension= 3. At the opposite end, the casing element 2 has a terminal section 4 of reduced diameter which loosely embraces the lower end of asleeve 5, and this sleeve, 5 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, has adjacent its lower end a transversely projecting pin 6 which enters. an laperture 1 in the reducedend portion 4 of the casing 2 and thereby anchors the sleeve 5 to the casing. As shown inlFig'. 7, the aperture 10 l is formed in a tongue 8 fo'rm'ed in the end portion 4 of the casing element 2 by a pair of recesses 9,' 9 extending inwardlyr from the edge of This tongue 8, constituting an integral part of the casing element 2, is resilient 15 and permits the sleeve 5 to rock within the casing element 2. As shown in Fig. 5, the sleeve 5 is provided at its lower end with a series of teeth I I, the function of whichlwill be described` hereinafter. l,

Retatably fitted within the sleeve 5 is a tubular element I2 having a spiral slot I3 inthe wall thereof, and this element I2 is supported on the upper end of the sleeve 5 by a collar I4 securedv to the outside of the tubular element. Rotatably mounted within the tubular element I2 is a vhollow'stem I5 which carries atits lower end a conical tip I6, the upper enlarged end of which engages the lower end of the tubular element I2. The stem I5 is held against longitudinal movement in the tubular element I2 by a clip 20, see Fig. 8, which is fastened in the tubular element I2 `and which enters a circumferential recess I1 at the upper end of the stem I5, this anchoring means permitting rotation of the 'stem I5 in the As shown in Fig. 12, a central bore extends completely through the stem I5 and the tip I5, and in this bore is slidably mounted a plunger I8 having at its upper end transversely project ing ears I9, I9a which pass through a longitudinal slot 2| in the stem I5 and'enter the spiral groove I3 of the'tubular element I2. The arer I8. As illustrated in Figs. 12'to l5, the plunger The lower end of the tube 22 is split longitudinally 55' toI ' portion I6 with respect to the casing I, under and is adapted to receive and to frictionally retain the inner end of a piece of lead or crayon shown at 25 in Fig. 12. The lead is inserted in the lower end of the tube 22 through the outer end of the tapered head I6. With this arrangement, the lead may be either extended from or retracted into the head portion I6, depending on the direction of the relative movement of the stem I and the tubular member I2. When, however, the plunger I8 is advanced to the point where the projection I9 of the tube. 22 reaches the lower end of the spiralgroove I3, further relative rotational movement of the stem I5 and the tubular element I2 will cause an"additional advance movement of the plunger element 23, expelling the lead 25 from the end of the tube 22. This mechanism for longitudinally feeding the lead in the pencil is well known in the art and forms only an incidental part ofthe present invention.

It will be apparent that when the parts of the mechanism described above are in the relative positions Ashown in Fig. 1, the tubular element I2 may rotate freely within the sleeve 5 and with respect to thecasing elements I and 2, and hence rotation of the'tip with respect to the casing will have no 'feeding effect upon the lead, since it involves no relative movement between the tubular element I2 and the spindle I5.` At the inner end of the conical head portion I6, the tubular element I2 carries a projecting lug or tooth 26 which, when the tubular element I2 is moved inwardly from the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, engages in the spaces between the teeth II on the outer endof the sleeve 5, see Fig. 12. When thus engaged, the tubular element I2 is locked against rotation with respect to the sleeve 5, and the sleeve 5 as previously set forth is anchred against rotational movement in the inner casing member 2. Rotation of the conical head these conditions, results in the aforesaid relative rotation of the stem I5 secured to the head I6 and the tubular element I2, with a consequent advance or retraction of the plunger I8 and oi the lead or crayon 25, as previously set forth.

The element I2 is held resiliently in. a normal position, as shown in Fig. 9, by the spring extension 3 of the inner casing2, the back-turned terminal end of which is apertured at 21 for reception of a pin 29 which projects from a cylinder 29 tted into the `upper end of the said tubular element. rI'he member 29, see Fig. 6, has a depending bracket arm 3|, the offset end of which is apertured at 32 for reception of a pin 33 secured to the inner casing member 2 and projecting beyond the upper end of the latter. This pin 33 constitutes a pivot about which the upper end of the cylindrical member 29 may rock. The spring extension 3 of the inner casing 2 not only resiliently retains the tubular element I2 in the normal relatively inclinedposition, but also permits the rocking movement of the upper end of the element upon the pin 33. The resiliency of the spring 3 also permits movement of the cylindrical member I2 longitudinally into the position, as shown in Fig. 12, in which the lug 26 engages between the teeth II of the sleeve 5.

Pivotally mounted in the inner end of the cylinder 29 is a pawl 34, the free end of which is resiliently held'in contact with the inner surface of the tubular element I2 by means of a springV 35 also mounted in the inner end of the cylinder 29. The normal position of the pawl 34 with respect to the cylindrical member I2 .iS clearly aouaapi shown in Fig. l1. Assuming now that pressure is applied as in the normal act of writing upon the terminal end oi.' the tip I6 tending to displace this element transversely with respect to the casing I held in the hand of the writer and that this pressure is suicient to actually cause a displacement of the head element I6 with respect to the casing I and a resultant rocking of the cylindrical member I2 in the casing about the fulcrum formed by the reduced lower end portion of the inner casing 2, it will be apparent that the lateral displacement of the upper end of the tubular element I2 about the pin 33 and against the tension of the spring 3 will necessarily cause a relative rotational movement between the cylinder 29 and the element I2 in which the cylinder is seated. This will be clear from Figs. 9, l0, and 11, wherein the tubular element I2 is shown in full lines occupying its normal position within the casing and resiliently held by the spring 3. As pressure is applied to the extremity of the tip I6 shifting the latter and the element I2 to the dotted line positions, it will be apparent that in this movement, due to the fact that the cylinder 29 in the upper end of the tubular element I2 is constrained to move about the pivot pin from the head I6 and the spring 3 is permitted to return the parts to the normal full line position, the pawl 34 will grip the cylindrical member I2 and will effect a rotation of this member and of the associated parts including the elements which hold the lead in a clockwise direction, see

Fig. 11, and there will be a consequent partial rotation of the lead with respect to the casing I. Each subsequent displacement of the parts with respect to the casing I, as previously set forth,

-results in a further rotative movement of the lead so that the normal act of writing is accompanied by an intermittent rotation of the lead with respect to the casing.

imum operating emciency, to -hold the casing lI in such position in the hand that the pressure exerted on the tip I6 will be in the direction best adapted to effect the movement of the parts about the controlling pivot 33, and to this vend I prefer to provide the pencil with suitable markings indicating the position in which it should be held in the hand of the writer. It will be understood that while the element .I2 may be moved by pressure exerted on the tip longitudinally against the tension of the spring 3 to bring the lug 26 into interlocking engagement with the teeth II on the sleeve 5, the pressure required for this longitudinal adjustment of the element I2 is con- With this arrangement, it is desirable, for maxl siderably greater than that required for the rockv In this case, the tip I6a and the cylindrical member I2a are held". in an 'extended position by a coiled spring 36 which is confined between the collar I4a secured to the cylindrical member ,I2a and a spring retainer 31 'secured in the inner casing 2a, which element 31 also constitutes a guide Y in which the cylindrical member I2a is slidable and which normally retains the casing I2a con- 75 Y r2,058,291 centrically positioned within the casing. In this instance, the upper end of the cylindrical member is provided with a ratchet wheel 38, the teeth of which are engaged by a spring-pressed pawi 39 pivotally mounted, 'as shown in Fig. 17,-in the inner casing 2a. Normally the pawl 39 under pres.- sure of a spring 4| occupies a downwardly inclined position in engagement with the ratchet 3B. Pressure applied to the tip |6a in a normal writing operation tends to displacethe tip inwardly in the casing la, thereby effecting a longitudinal adjustment of the -cylindrical member I2a in the casing and an elevation of the pawl 39 about its pivot. Since the ratchet 38 is held against lateral displacement in the casing, this upward adjustment of the pawl 39 in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel eilects a rotation of the latter and consequently of the lead-holding elements. When the pressure is released, the springs 36 and 4I return the parts to their normal relative positions.

sults in an additional rotational movement of the lead.

In both of the aforedescribed embodiments, it

will be noted that the rotation of the lead-holding means and therewithof the lead is effected by the bodily displacement of said means in the casing resulting from a normal writing operation. In the embodiment .of Figs. 1 to 12, the bodily displacement of the holding means effecting rotation thereof is independent of and distinct fromA A still further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 18, wherein the ratchet wheel 33a on the inner end of the cylindricalmemberI I 2b is engaged by apawl 39a, which in this instance isv pivotally connected to the short end of a lever arm 42 pivotally mounted at 43 inthe casing.

The opposite end of this lever arm'42 carries a weight 44, movement of which is controlled by a light spring 45 which tends to hold the weighted lever 4| in a predetermined normal position, as illustrated. In this instance, the cylindrical member |2b is fixed against;v longitudinal movement in the casing but is free to rotate. Movementof the pencil in the normal Writing operation causes a reciprocation of the weighted lever 42 and a resulting action of the 'pawl 39a upon the ratchet wheel 38a effecting an intermittent rotation of the latter and of the lead-holding elements associated therewith.

It will be apparent that there may be other modificationswithout departure from the invention. y

I claim:

l. A writing pencil comprisinga casing, a marking element supported in the casing, and having an exposed portion constituting the pencil point, and mechanism operative by interrnittent pressure applied to said point for revolving said element with respect to-the casing.

2. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means in the casing for holding a marking element with one end exposed to form the pencil"point, and mechanism operative by intermittent unbalanced and non-rotative pressure exerted on the holding Each subsequent longitudinal movement of the cylindrical member I2a in the casing reholding means in respect to the casing.

3. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means means through said "point for revolving said lation of the pencil in the writing operation' for revolving said holding means with respect to the casing.

4. A writing pencil comprising a casing adapted for reception of a marking element, and means operative by the forces and pressures incident to the writing operation for rotating the said element in the casing.

5. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means rotatablyl mounted in the casing for holding a marking element, and means actuated by the intermittent pressures applied to said element during .the writing operation for rotating said holding means in the casing.

6. A writing pencil comprising an outer casing, means rotatably mounted in the casing for holding a marking element, andvmechanism operatively associated with said holding means and including a ratchet device automatically operative during the writing operation for rotating the said holding means in the casing.

7. A Writing pencil including a casing, means in said casing forholding a marking element, said holding means being both rotationally and bodily movable Vwith respect to the casing, and means actuated by said holding means when the latter is bodily moved for rotatingsaid holding means in the casing.

8. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means in said casing for holding a writing element, said holding means being rotatable in the casing and being bodily movable in the casing by pressure applied to the writing element, and mechanism actuated by the holding means when the latter is bodily moved for rotating the holding means in the casing.

9. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means in said casing for holding a marking element, said holding means being rotatable and being mounted for bodily movement in the casing, means for resiliently retaining said holding. means in a nor- -mal position of bodily adjustment, said Vholding means being bodily movable from said normal position by pressure applied to the marking element, and mechanism actuated by the holding means -when the latter is bodily moved for rotating the holding means in the casing.

10. A writing pencil comprising a casing, means;

in said casing for holding a marking element, said holding means being rotatable and being mounted for bodily movement within the casing, means for resiliently supporting. said holding means in a normal position of. bodily adjustment, ratchet ing, a longitudinally channeled stem mountedlfor rotation within saidtubular member but fixed longitudinally in the latter, said steml having a portion projecting from an end of the said member and from the casing and being'adapted for reception of a marking element, a plunger slidably mounted in said stem for feedingl engagement with said element and having a part pro,- jecting into a spiral groove in the tubular` member whereby relative rotation of the stem and said member eiIects a longitudinal adjustment of, the plunger in the stem, means actuated bylongitudinal adjustment of the tubular member in the casing for immobilizing the said member rotationally with respect to the casing, resilient means opposing said adjustment and resilientlyretaining the tubular member in a normal position of bodily adjustment, and means actuated by said bodily movement for rotating the tubular member in the casing.

12. A writing pencil comprising an outer tubular casing, ,an inner tubular member mounted .both for rotation and bodily movement in the casing, a longitudinally channeled stem mounted for rotation within said tubular member but fixed longitudinally in the latter, said stem having a actuated by said bodily movement for rotating the tubular member and said stem as a unit within the casing.

HAROLD H. BELCHER. 

